Commission at a Glance: CFTC Organizational Programs

Below are brief descriptions of the organizational programs within the CFTC.

The Commission

The Offices of the Chairman and the Commissioners provide executive direction and leadership to the Commission. The Offices of the Chairman include: Public Affairs and Legislative Affairs.

Division of Clearing and Risk

The DCR program oversees derivatives clearing organizations (DCOs) and other market participants that may pose risk to the clearing process including futures commission merchants, swap dealers, major swap participants and large traders, and the clearing of futures, options on futures, and swaps by DCOs. The DCR staff prepare proposed regulations, orders, guidelines, and other regulatory work products on issues pertaining to DCOs; review DCO applications and rule submissions and make recommendations to the Commission; make determinations and recommendations to the Commission to which types of swaps should be cleared; make determinations and recommendations to the Commission as to the initial eligibility or continuing qualification of a DCO to clear swaps; assess compliance by DCOs with the CEA and Commission regulations, including examining systemically important DCOs at least once a year; and conduct risk assessment and financial surveillance through the use of risk assessment tools, including automated systems to gather and analyze financial information, to identify, quantify, and monitor the risks posed by DCOs, clearing members, and market participants and its financial impact.

Division of Enforcement

The DOE program investigates and prosecutes alleged violations of the CEA and Commission regulations. Possible violations involve improper conduct related to commodity derivatives trading on U.S. exchanges, or the improper marketing and sales of commodity derivatives products to the general public.

Division of Market Oversight

The DMO program fosters markets that accurately reflect the forces of supply and demand for the underlying commodities and are free of disruptive activity. To achieve this goal, program staff oversees trade execution facilities, performs market and trade practice surveillance, reviews new exchange applications and examines existing exchanges to ensure their compliance with the applicable core principles. Other important work includes evaluating new products to ensure they are not susceptible to manipulation, and reviewing exchange rules and actions to ensure compliance with the CEA and CFTC regulations.

Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight

The DSIO program oversees the registration and compliance activities of intermediaries and the futures industry self-regulatory organizations (SROs), which include the U.S. derivatives exchanges and the National Futures Association (NFA). Program staff develops regulations concerning registration, fitness, financial adequacy, sales practices, protection of customer funds, cross-border transactions, and anti-money laundering programs, as well as policies for coordination with foreign market authorities and emergency procedures to address market-related events that impact intermediaries. With the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act, DSIO also will be responsible for the development of, or monitoring for compliance with, regulations addressing registration requirements, business conduct standards, capital adequacy, and margin requirements for swap dealers and major swap participants.

Office of the Chief Economist

The OCE provides economic support and advice to the Commission, conducts research on policy issues facing the Commission, and educates and trains Commission staff. The OCE plays an integral role in the implementation of new financial market regulations by providing economic expertise and cost-benefit considerations underlying those regulations.

Office of Data and Technology

The ODT is led by the Chief Information Officer. ODT delivers services to CFTC mission divisions and mission support offices through three components: Systems and Services, Data Management, and Infrastructure and Operations. In order to partner effectively with Commission divisions and offices, Systems and Services focuses on several areas: market and financial oversight and surveillance; enforcement and legal support; documents, records, and knowledge management; CFTC-wide enterprise services; and management and administration. In order to manage data as an enterprise asset and apply a data-centric approach to service delivery, Data Management focuses on data analysis activities that support data acquisition, management, reuse, and transparency reporting and also provides data operations support. Infrastructure and Operations organizes delivery of services around network infrastructure and operations, telecommunications, and desktop and customer services. These three service delivery components are unified by an enterprise-wide approach that is driven by the Commission's strategic goals and objectives and incorporates information security, enterprise architecture, and project management.

Office of the Executive Director

The Commission's ability to achieve its mission of protecting the public, derivative market participants, U.S. economy and the U.S. position in global markets is driven by well-informed and reasoned executive direction, strong and focused management, and an efficiently-resourced, dedicated, and productive workforce. These attributes of an effective organization combine to lead and support the critical work of the Commission to provide sound regulatory oversight and enforcement programs for the U.S. public. The Executive Director ensures the Commission's continued success, continuity of operations, and adaptation to the ever-changing markets it is charged with regulating, directs the effective and efficient allocation of CFTC resources, develops and implements management and administrative policy, and ensures program performance is measured and tracked Commission-wide. The OED includes the following programs: Business Management and Planning, Counsel to the Executive Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Financial Management, Human Resources, Logistics and Operations, Privacy, Records, Proceedings (reparations), Secretariat and the Library.

Office of the General Counsel

The OGC provides legal services and support to the Commission and all of its programs. These services include: 1) engaging in defensive, appellate, and amicus curiae litigation; 2) assisting the Commission in the performance of its adjudicatory functions; 3) providing legal advice and support for Commission programs; 4) drafting and assisting other program areas in preparing Commission regulations; 5) interpreting the CEA; and 6) providing advice on legislative and regulatory issues.

Office of International Affairs

The OIA advises the Commission regarding international regulatory initiatives; provides guidance regarding international issues raised in Commission matters; represents the Commission in international organizations, such as the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO); coordinates Commission policy as it relates to policies and initiatives of major foreign jurisdictions, the G20, Financial Stability Board and the U.S. Treasury Department; and provides technical assistance to foreign market authorities.

Office of the Inspector General

The OIG is an independent organizational unit at the CFTC. The mission of the OIG is to detect waste, fraud, and abuse and to promote integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the CFTC's programs and operations. As such it has the ability to review all of the Commission's programs, activities, and records. In accordance with the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the OIG issues semiannual reports detailing its activities, findings, and recommendations.